Middletown Magazine April 2023

JOSH BROWN

CREATIVE DIRECTORS

TONI EADS

VAL AUSTIN COPY EDITORS

JON SHOULDERS

PLATT

THE HISTORY OF LOCAL HOMEMAKERS CLUBS

TIMES HAVE CHANGED, FRIENDSHIPS REMAIN STRONG

Writer / Beth Wilder

Times have greatly changed, especially over the past few decades. Lifestyles that used to center around creating an existence practically from scratch have become far more fast-paced, and even though modern technology relieves people of the burdens of doing countless daily chores just to get by, there still seems to be less free time for anything.

Take Homemakers Clubs, for example. In the early 1900s, the clubs offered ladies a chance not only to gather and visit, but to learn and do things to contribute to their communities, as well. Club members looked forward to leaving off their chores for a time and getting to dress up and share the company of others while they attended meetings or the various

functions of their clubs.

Local Homemakers Clubs had their start during the early 1900s, when the University of Kentucky created a Cooperative Extension Service in order to connect and educate the State’s rural women through demonstration clubs. This led to an extensive network of women sharing information that would make their domestic lives easier by way of home economics, new technologies and goods, agricultural skills, food conservation and preservation and domestic skills.

There was an official Homemakers Club in the east end that originated in the 1940s. The club presented lessons on tailoring, interior decoration, landscaping, better buying of foods, selecting home appliances,

first aid and even fire safety. Learning was not the only item offered at their meetings – luncheons and picnics were much anticipated events. In fact, by 1947, attendance in the Homemakers Club had increased to the point where it was difficult to entertain the club at luncheon, so the members voted to bring sandwiches and let the hostess furnish the beverages.

The ladies put their lessons to good use, creating artistic projects they often entered in the Jefferson County Fair, where they won many awards. The women also put their sewing skills to good use, donating items they made to charitable organizations. The ladies organized fundraisers for community projects, as well as clean up campaigns for the town.

1970 Charlane Gardens Club Meeting

1971 Charlane Gardens Club Meeting

Although the Homemakers Club was ultimately of great benefit to the community, not enough can be said regarding what a positive and constructive influence it was on the ladies who were members. It afforded them the opportunity to take time out of their busy day and

relax with friends, working on projects together that could give them a real sense of accomplishment. After discussing topics that were meant to educate the women on various domestic subjects, the meetings often turned into something very much like an art class, as is evidenced by

the following quotes taken from 1940s Jeffersonian newspapers:

“The members left the meeting wearing very professional-looking shoulder and hair bouquets which they had made themselves.”

“Then Mrs. Skaggs’ house was turned into a handicraft shop, with the ladies hammering out trays and ashtrays from copper and aluminum disks.”

“All club members wishing to follow up last month’s lesson on making lampshades will meet at Mrs. Marshall Floore’s.”

“The projects for the coming year will include glove and hat making.”

Of course, as club membership grew, a centralized meeting place became more difficult to accommodate all the ladies at once. By the 1950s, area groups started forming. The groups were named for their locations, such as the North Watterson Trail Homemaker’s Club and the Watterson Trail South Homemaker’s Club. By the 1960s, various neighborhood groups had sprung up, including Charlane Gardens, Charlane Park, Routt Road and Bluegrass Belles. Many of these neighborhood meetings turned into gatherings not only for the homemakers, but for their husbands, as well. While the ladies worked on projects, the men enjoyed the refreshments and each other’s company. In fact, to this day, the

Charlane Gardens Homemakers Club still meets, although now their meetings are more along the lines of get-togethers with the neighborhood couples who formed such close bonds decades ago.

Granted, modern technology puts far more information at our fingertips than homemakers had available in the last century, and the current necessity of twoincome families prevents a great deal of free time for homeowners to do much outside of tending to their families. But wouldn’t it be nice to develop long-lasting friendships with those who surround us, to get to share some time and ideas, to create things or just to socialize? A community is its people, and when those people are close and can share with one another – their time, if nothing else – then they might find they have a great deal in common and enjoy one another’s company. And who knows what great things might be accomplished just by sharing ideas and working together.

ALL ABOUT THE KIDS

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF KENTUCKIANA PRESIDENT & CEO

KNOWS FIRSTHAND THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE ORGANIZATION

Writer / Cassady Lamb

Photography Provided

The Louisville metropolitan area is home to over 1.3 million people who are spread out on almost 400 square miles. The 2020 U.S. Census shows that 22.5% of the metro population consists of people under the age of 18.

Many of these youths that fall into the 18 and under category could be classified as underserved. A boom of realization hit Louisville following the pandemic--there were not many options for children who come from underserved communities or families to get help to thrive in life.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana (BGCK) has been a pioneer in working with the youth since 1950.

The Kentuckiana chapter of the club, consisting of Kentucky’s Jefferson County

and Indiana’s Clark and Floyd counties, has three staple clubs around the metropolitan area with a fourth club on the way.

There are 4,300 Boys and Girls Clubs of America and club-affiliates all around the U.S., including Native American reservations and military bases. The club also has a presence in 16 other countries and collectively serve nearly 4 million youth.

In February of 2022, BGCK hired Daryle Unseld Jr. as president and CEO.

Unseld’s most recent job was with Metro United Way for more than 11 years. Before that, Unseld served over 11 years active duty for the U.S. Air Force and then was the program director at the YMCA of Greater Louisville.

Upon leaving Louisville for 11 and a half years as an airman, he returned in 2005,

and in 2010 landed a leadership position at Metro United Way.

Unseld came into Metro United Way as a regional manager in community impact and left the organization as chief equity and impact officer.

He studied at the University of Louisville where he received a Bachelor of Science degree, and at Saint Leo University where he received his Master of Business Administration.

February wasn’t the first time BGCK has seen Unseld. He attended the Club as a child and worked at the organization as a teenager.

According to Unseld, this position at BGCK was an opportunity come full circle, having grown up as a Club kid.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to use my

passions to lead this legacy organization,” Unseld says.

His employment track record shows that he has a tried and true heart for the betterment of Louisville.

Coming up on his one year of working at the Club, Unseld was excited to share the

changes that he has seen during this time.

“We are excited that we are renovating three of our brick-and-mortar clubs,” Unseld says. “We are opening a brand new club next month in the California neighborhood-- the California Boys and Girls Club.”

The Club is partnering with St. Stephens

The official opening day of the new club was January 9th. The organization held a Christmas party there two weeks prior, alongside hosting other Christmas parties at the preexisting clubs.

Church to host youths at the church’s life center on the third floor.

Unself describes the mission of the Boys and Girls Club of Kentuckiana as “meeting the needs of young people where they are.” He is very passionate about the mission of the Club because he has experienced it in his own life and now, he is wanting to continue the mission under his leadership.

“The Boys and Girls Club helped me reach my full potential,” Unseld says.

To the adults that poured into Unseld while he was growing up, he says his actions can express his gratitude.

“One of the best ways I can say thank you is by modeling the way that these people poured into me,” he says.

Unseld grew up in Lousville, and behind his titles, it is visibly obvious that he has a strong heart for the youth residing in the city.

“I think that young people deserve to be the architects of their own condition,” he said.

With a good chunk of his life spent involved in the Boys and Girls Club, Unseld has a lot of great things to express regarding the organization.

“Being exposed to caring adults, quality programs and providing me opportunities

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that I would not have without the club gave me the ability to see outside of my own neighborhood,” Unseld says.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana hosted a first of its kind fundraiser recently. Deion Sanders, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and new head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder spoke at the event alongside Unseld.

Sanders played 14 seasons in the NFL. He is the only athlete to ever compete in the Super Bowl and World Series. He has multiple athletic titles and awards, but among all his athletic standings, the

renowned coach is a Boys and Girls Club alumni.

The funds raised from the gala will help open doors to great futures for young people ages 6 - 18 in Kentuckiana,

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana is passionate about catering to the metro youth and Daryle Unseld’s heart hits all three components that the Club holds: celebrating diversity, ensuring equity and fostering inclusion.

The children of Kentuckiana have a huge supporter in the clubs, especially under

fervid guidance.

Unseld has some things that he would like to see in the club in 2023.

“I want to grow our footprint and serve more people in the Louisville area,” Unseld says.

“There are not enough resources for the young people here… I want more young people to experience the mission of the Boys and Girls Club.”

For more information, please visit www. bgcky.org/.

Day Health

“I THINK THAT YOUNG PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE THE ARCHITECTS OF THEIR OWN

—DARYLE

PAT DAY

A RACE TOWARD A CALLING

Writer / Kevin Gibson Photography Provided

It was a summer day in 1973 at Prescott Downs, a small racetrack about 100 miles north of Phoenix, and a young rider found himself in the lead. It was his first race ever as a jockey.

The horse had leapt to the front as soon as the gates had opened, and there it stayed, speeding around the dirt track toward an awaiting finish line. As that finish line came into view, victory appeared imminent.

“And then another horse came and got me,” Pat Day says, now a horse racing hall of famer. The name of the jockey who tracked down Day’s horse that day was Lyle Murray, whom Day described as a “journeyman jockey.” The two would soon become good friends.

“He said, ‘There was no way I could let you win your first start,’” Day says. “’You’ve got to get some experience first.’”

Two weeks later, he claimed that first win – it was the first of 8,803 wins in his storied career, which included winning the 1992

The Colorado-born Day retired in 2005, but he didn’t really leave racing. Instead, he remains closely affiliated with the Kentucky Racetrack Chaplaincy at Churchill Downs. In 2016, he was named to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. But ask him about his four-decade-plus-career which took him all over the country and beyond and Day seemingly conjures memories and dates effortlessly. That skill may be rooted in Day’s gratitude that his career even got past its first decade.

A CHANGE IN COURSE

“I had success almost immediately,” Day says. “I believe God had endowed me with remarkable talent and ability, and my steps were divinely guided. I had a gift. But my attitude was not the best.”

In 1982, Day earned his first ever honor as the nation’s winningest jockey, an honor secured with a victory at Delta Downs aboard a horse called Dana’s Woof Woof after he chartered a plane to the track on Dec. 31 in attempt to top Angel Cordero Jr. for the title.

Kentucky Derby aboard Lil E. Tee and four Eclipse Awards, given each year to the sport’s outstanding jockey.

Day was the top jockey again in 1983, and he was fast becoming a star in the sport at age 30. As a result, Day decided it was a time to celebrate – and the celebration was ongoing.

“My mindset at that time is you’ve got to party, party,” he says. “And I did.”

But it didn’t take him long to discover that his stardom hadn’t fulfilled him the way he thought it would. In 1984, he fell on his

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face in a hotel room and the realization hit him that changes were needed to continue forward.

“When I came out of my drunken stupor, I took inventory,” Day says. “I thought I would never have another bad day, but I learned partying wasn’t satisfying. I believe the Lord let me get to the top of the mountain and there was nothing there. Reaching that level of success and realizing, ‘Whoa, wait a minute, this isn’t all it was supposed to be.’ Life hadn’t changed.”

This is when he embraced Christianity and what led to him being not just a champion in the sport, but also a champion of the track chaplaincy. Another Eclipse Award followed in 1984, then three more in 1986, 1990 and 1991. Day soared as a jockey for four decades, ending his career with an impressive 23 top-three finishes in his Triple Crown career, including nine victories in those races. He also won 12 Breeders’ Cup

races during his sparkling career.

He became involved in the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy shortly after 1984, when Churchill Downs had only parttime chaplain service. It didn’t take long before Day, fellow jockey Larry Meloncon and a few others realized there was a need for full-time chaplaincy. By this time, thoroughbreds were lodging at the track full-time, which meant there were backside workers at the track daily who needed the service.

“The thought was that if they can’t get offtrack and go to the church of their choice, let’s take church to them,” Day said.

A full-time chaplain was subsequently hired. As the word spread, the popularity of the service, which is to provide ministry, emotional support, counseling – or anything, really – to any and all involved at Churchill Downs when they needed, only grew. Nondenominational worship services were held

in a track rec hall, but it wasn’t long before services were standing room only.

Representatives of the chaplaincy then approached track management about supporting a dedicated building for the chaplaincy. Churchill Downs allocated space and helped the chaplaincy raise money, and Christ Chapel was built on-site.

“It’s a ministry of presence,” Day says. “The people that care for the horses are the primary focal point for the ministry. Our chaplains are there walking through the barn area as a visible presence during training hours and making themselves available after. We want to offer them hope.”

The Monday before the Kentucky Derby each year, the Kentucky Racetrack Chaplaincy – which has other on-site chaplaincies at tracks around the state – holds the Race for Grace, the chaplaincy’s sole fundraiser. Heading into its 21st year, it’s a dinner and auction which features a guest speaker. The planned speaker for 2023 is trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

“It’s a great way to kick off derby week,” Day says, adding that the goal is not just to raise money to fund the chaplaincy, but also to educate attendees so that they might want to become more involved.

STAYING PUT

Day’s work with the chaplaincy is one thing that keeps him in Louisville, but there are others. He and his wife, Sheila, also want to be near their daughter, Irene, who went to school here and has remained. With Louisville providing a sort of hub city during his racing career when Day was traveling almost constantly to various tracks for meets, it gradually came to feel like home, he said.

When the time came to settle into a city, he and Sheila prayed over where that should be. “This is where the Lord led us to settle,” he says. “God knew exactly what he was doing when he brought us to Louisville.”

The couple, after first locating here in 1980 shortly after they were married, decided to make it a permanent home in 1991, in part because Irene was enrolled at Christian Academy. The original plan had been to move to Chicago to be near Arlington Park, another race track. The Days ultimately settled into a home in Lake Forest, where they’ve been ever since. Unless Irene and her husband move to a new city, expect the legendary jockey to remain.

“We’re very comfortable where we’re at,” Day says. “It’s got everything the big cities have, just maybe in smaller quantity. We have great neighbors. We enjoy Louisville and all that it has to offer.”

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DOWN

1. Hostile mutt

2. Way back when

3. Lord’s Prayer pronoun

4. Severe blow

5. Greet the dawn

6. “Addams Family” uncle

7. Dietitian’s concern

8. Aladdin’s friend

9. Hungry for more

10. Backgammon need

11. Alaskan transport

16. Bandsman Shaw

19. Used a scope

20. Remove, as a rind

21. “Did you ___?!”

22. Scruff

24. Accelerate sharply

26. Bar order

28. Ill humor

29. Picnic hamperer

30. Wistful word

32. Captain’s chronicle

34. India’s first P.M.

37. It’s often burning 39. Comes across as 40. Adjust the alarm 42. A fisherman may bring one home

Lotion additive

Toll

Timeline

Went

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BLANKET LOUISVILLE

A FAMILY PROJECT TURNED NONPROFIT HAS COLLECTED MORE THAN 140,000 BLANKETS FOR THOSE IN NEED

is always needed at homeless shelters is blankets. We decided to collect blankets and distribute them on Valentine’s Day. That’s when Blanket Louisville was born.”

Each blanket had a personal note saying, 'You are loved.' The response was overwhelmingly positive and very successful. Steve says the couple discussed it and decided to continue collecting and distributing blankets the following year. They decided to involve other schools, businesses, churches and organizations. What started as a grassroots effort grew each year exponentially.

significant the need for blankets is in a shelter. Blankets are the one item residents take with them when they leave the homeless shelter, so there is always a need.

“Our partnership with Coalition for the Homeless was instrumental to our growth,” he says. “We were able to identify more homeless shelters, transitional shelters and outreach organizations. We now distribute to more than 30 different organizations.”

One local couple and their family has been covering the city of Louisville in love and warmth for the last 20 years. What started as a family school project for Steve and Kathy Fehder quickly morphed into a local nonprofit with the potential to go nationwide.

“In 2002, our family embarked on a school community-based project,” Steve Fehder says. “It was designed to allow our children and other students to give back to the community. We learned that one item that

“That first year, we thought we would probably collect a couple of hundred blankets, but we collected over 400 blankets,” Kathy Fehder says. “The following year, we collected around 1,000 blankets. Then the next year, we collected over 2,000 blankets. It just grew each year from there. Over the last 20 years, we have collected and distributed over 140,000 blankets.”

The couple quickly learned they needed the help of other volunteers and organizations to identify those in need. They partnered with Coalition for the Homeless in Louisville. Steve says they had no idea how

Each year, Blanket Louisville begins the collection process in October—it concludes in November and the blankets are distributed before Thanksgiving. Each blanket is still adorned with a handmade note telling the recipient they are loved. That message is paramount to share.

“A blanket represents warmth on the outside but also the inside,” she says. “The note is important because we want people to know someone cares about them. We want them all to know they’re beautiful human beings whose life matters.”

Kathy says distributing the blankets near Thanksgiving is meaningful and meant to remind everyone there is always a reason to be thankful no matter life’s circumstances.

Writer / Renée Larr

Photography Provided

“I remember one young woman at the shelter who felt she had nothing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving,” Kathy says. “I gave her a blanket and explained she still had a life to be thankful for and a lot of life yet to live. She was so happy with the blanket, and it was a positive experience for the both of us.”

Kathy says over the years, they’ve had volunteers collecting door-to-door blankets,

sewing and producing blankets and donating gently used and new blankets with the intent of giving back to the community.

“We had one woman who would take rags and sew them together and stitch fleece on the backside,” she says. “She’s donated hundreds of blankets over the years. One year when my kids were younger, we were driving downtown, and we saw a woman pushing a grocery cart. She had one of those

blankets made of rags. It was so amazing to see that our work was reaching people.”

Over the last five years, Blanket Louisville has expanded its distribution efforts to include other groups and organizations in need. While shelters are the more significant portion of their recipients, they’ve also donated to Volunteers of America, YMCA Safe Place, Catholic Charities of Louisville Refugee Services, flood victims of eastern

Kentucky and tornado victims in western Kentucky.

“Everyone deserves to be warm no matter who the person is or their circumstance,” Kathy says. “We’re a country of abundance, and Americans want to give generously if given the opportunity. Over the years, we learned the idea of giving needs to be simple. There are so many compassionate, generous people out there.

In 2008, Disney's Family Fun Magazine announced that the Fehder family was selected as a grand prize winner of their 2007-2008 annual Family Volunteer contest. The contest is open to families across the United States, and Disney receives thousands of entries each year. The contest promotes family volunteering. The Fehders were awarded $5,000 for Blanket Louisville.

“That award was significant because it’s a nationwide award,” she says. “We started having people reach out asking how they

could replicate what we were doing in their city. We explained we’ve been so successful because of our volunteers. It’s a community effort. It was nice to see the desire to give at a national level.”

Steve describes their work over the years as a small idea making a big impact. Soon, that impact is going to be felt nationwide. The couple hopes to launch BlanketUSA.

“BlanketUSA is an offshoot of the success of Blanket Louisville and has been a longtime vision,” Steve says. “BlanketUSA will be housed or based out of Louisville but will serve homeless and less fortunate organizations and some emergency relief organizations across the country. We will rely on donations and grants to fulfill requests. Each blanket will still be tagged with a simple but powerful message ‘You are loved.’ We will connect to organizations nationwide via the National Association to End Homelessness and others.”

Steve describes Kathy as the operational powerhouse behind Blanket Louisville. The growth of Blanket Louisville is even more impressive, knowing both Kathy and Steve work full-time jobs in addition to supporting the nonprofit. Steve serves as chief partnerships officer at Odessa Connect, while Kathy is the principal of Corpus Christi Classical Academy.

“It’s incredible when you think about how this little family service project has grown in the last 20 years,” she says. “It not only lifts the recipients, but it also lifts up the givers. I can never underestimate the power of kids who witness giving and generosity in action. I’m a firm believer in extending the opportunity to give. We invite everyone to be a part of our effort.”

Blanket Louisville is always looking for volunteers to help collect, organize and distribute blankets. Kathy says they used to be able to store the blankets in their basement but have had to enlist a storage

facility due to their growth.

“We’ve hosted bagging parties in the past to help bag up the blankets before distribution day,” Kathy says. “There are so many ways people can get involved. While we don’t solicit cash donations, they certainly are accepted and do help.”

The couple is exceptionally grateful for the help of their children, volunteers and board members over the years. They want to extend gratitude to Tony Nold, who has been an instrumental part of Blanket Louisville for the last 19 years. He’s participated in every collection and distribution throughout the years, and his store, Plant Kingdom, serves as a drop off location. Undoubtedly, the Fehders will be spreading love and warming hearts and souls for years to come.

For more information, visit blanketlouisville.org.

Steve and Kathy with their kids.

WHERE WILL YOUR SAVINGS TAKE YOU?

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GATORGUARD OF LOUISVILLE

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

In today’s world it seems that everyone wants things done quickly. It’s wise to remember, however, that the best things in life can take a little extra time. Such is the case in the epoxy industry, which has skyrocketed in the last decade.

There are a lot of one-day coating companies around, but you’ve got to wonder, is speed worth sacrificing quality?

“It’s enticing to a customer for workers to be in and out in one day, but it’s important for consumers to understand what it is that they’re buying,” says Mike Evans, Senior Vice President of GatorGuard, a family-owned and -operated company that’s been around since 2017.

“One-day coating guys put down a coating that cures so quickly it doesn’t have time to form a secure mechanical bond with concrete,” Evans says. “When you slow the process down, you get better adhesion.”

They use Eco-CorFlex products, which is the crème de la crème as far as epoxies go. While they primarily do garages, they also do basements, driveways, pool decks, porches and patios.

They key is that GatorGuard’s multi-day process allows each layer to fully cure. Plus, they always include a hydrostatic moisture mitigation barrier called GatorShield.

“Mother Earth has a lot of water and a lot of pressure in her,” Evans says. “If you’ve ever seen a painted concrete floor that’s chipping or peeling, it’s not because it’s being driven on. More than likely, it’s the water pressure

from Mother Nature pushing up through the concrete, which is nothing more than a rigid sponge. Once that coating is pushed up, it bubbles and then when you pull in your car, turn your tires or scrape the snow, it rips it. Once that starts, it keeps going. That’s what we prevent against on every single floor.”

They provide an in-house lifetime warranty program, which is a big deal because most other companies buy from well-known manufacturers. While that may sound good, they have their own warranty, and the business you hired to do your garage is just the installer so your warranty claim is with the manufacturer, not with that business.

GATOR GUARD

“In those instances you end up in a fingerpointing game, and that’s a horrible spot to be in,” says Evans, who notes that 40% of the flooring they install involves removing someone else’s failure.

GatorGuard offers white-glove treatment. This means they bring out a trailer and move all of your belongings from the room in which they are working into the trailer. They then lock it up, give you the key and install your floor. Two days later when the floor is cured, they move everything back in. Rarely do other companies provide full turnkey service.

“In an industry where you have people coming out and writing down an estimate on the back of a business card in three minutes’ time, we are unique,” Evans says. “We take our time to educate the consumer. When you’re making a $5,000 to $8,000 investment in a garage floor, for example, you want to do your due diligence and understand the differences.”

At GatorGuard it’s an educational,

no-pressure, no-obligation, free-estimate appointment. Potential clients walk away with a design, a price, and an incentive to buy that day or within 30 days. They also frequently change their offers to keep things fresh.

“Customers will spend bad money in wrong directions and not realize what they’re getting themselves into,” Evans says. “Initially they may think we are just trying to charge them more, but really we’re protecting their investment and ensuring that what they’re buying is going to be a high-quality solution for decades to come.”

Secretive Salamanders

worldwide- many of which can be found in the forests and streams of The Parklands of Floyds Fork.

What is it about salamanders that makes them so mysterious? You may have seen these lizard looking creatures skittering along the ground in your yard hiding under garden stones, fallen logs, leaf piles or even your trashcan! But these lizard looking creatures are not lizards at all. In fact, they are not even reptiles! Salamanders are amphibians making them one of the most vulnerable types of wildlife in our area. Kentucky is home to 35 salamander species of the 300 species that have been identified

However, you may not have noticed any salamanders at The Parklands lately. That’s because, during the winter, salamanders undergo a process called brumation, which is similar to the hibernation some mammals like bears undergo. Amphibians and reptiles undergo brumation rather than hibernation due to their inability to control their internal body temperatures. Cold-blooded animals must be more creative in their attempts to control their body temperature, such as

basking on a log to warm up or burrowing themselves in the mud to cool down. Brumation typically lasts for a shorter period than hibernation as well, potentially lasting only a month or two and is often interrupted due to the need for water and food- or even to go to the bathroom!

Once it begins to warm up again like it is now, salamanders begin to emerge from their brumation so that they can move to vernal pools throughout the forest to find a perfect mate. Vernal pools are temporary pools in the forest floor that are filled with melted snow or spring rain and often dry

Writer / Ryan Hynes, Interpretive Ranger at The Parklands of Floyds Fork Photography Provided

out by the end of the summer. Salamanders commonly choose to rest for the winter nearby the sites where these pools begin to form, causing this “mini” migration to be far smaller than that of other mammals or birds. Vernal pools are important breeding habitat for many amphibians including salamanders and frogs because these shallow pools lack fish that commonly feed on their young.

understand these amphibians. Conservation concerns have fueled the rapid growth of salamander studies throughout the state. Kentucky’s Wildlife Action Plan, a statewide effort to ensure the health and diversity of the state’s vulnerable species, identifies 14 different salamander species as species in great need of conservation efforts, including the Hellbender (Cryptobranchus allegheniensis), the largest salamander in Kentucky.

Due to their secretive nature, the life cycle of

Salamander conservation is vital to our Kentucky ecosystem. They fulfill a crucial

role as a link between small invertebrates and larger mammals on the food chain. Salamanders commonly prey upon invertebrates such as mosquitos, ticks, and flies, serving as the ecosystem’s natural form of pest control- making salamanders a natural bug deterrent during our spring picnics! Salamanders are also an important food source for other park animals like fish, raccoons, and birds of prey like owls. They are also considered to be an indicator species within the forests of Kentucky. An indicator species is one whose population number highlights the overall health of a habitat. The presence of more salamanders means the system is doing well overall. Salamanders and other amphibians also give scientists a rough assessment of water quality in their environment due to their ability to breathe through their skin, leaving them highly susceptible to pollutants in our waterways. Scientists can use their population in certain areas to determine the level of pollutants in the water.

Of the dangers that salamanders face during their lives, humans pose the biggest threat. One of the major dangers that humans pose to salamanders is habitat destruction. Clearing parts of a forest for development can unknowingly lead to the destruction of a vernal pools local salamander populations have been using for generations. Without these vernal pools, these animals would be required to lay their eggs in areas with a higher number of predators. Secondly, road mortality has a significant impact on the health of amphibian populations, especially salamanders. Many salamanders

are killed due as they cross roadways that pass through their migration path towards a vernal pool. There are many citizen-science projects that aim to mitigate these effects by training volunteers to help shepherd crossing amphibians. Equipped with flashlights, reflective vests, and rain gear, these volunteers ensure that salamander populations can safely continue their migration and successfully breed.

Unfortunately, their migration is not always easy to predict. It occurs during a cool, rainy evening when the ground begins to thaw, and temperatures are warm (above 40∞F). When these conditions are met, salamanders will begin to move from their brumation sites towards the vernal pools. It is also important to note that not all salamanders migrate at once. Precipitation levels and temperatures can fluctuate throughout a region, causing the large migration to occur over time throughout the area in several movements. Rather than having one massive movement of salamanders, it is often broken up into several smaller movements towards vernal pools. The nature of salamander migration makes it relatively difficult to be able to observe. However, conducting daily checkups on the weather report can give you the best chance to predict when their migration conditions are met and allow you to observe a group of secretive salamanders!

If

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to observe a salamander migration event, it is important to know how to handle these delicate creatures. Their sensitive, permeable skin requires extreme care from humans when handling these creatures. It is best practice to avoid direct contact with salamanders due to their sensitive skin. Always ask yourself: “Do I need to handle this animal to appreciate it?” Using a small net will ensure that no soap/lotion residue seeps into the salamander’s skin. Disposable gloves are another option for amphibian handling. If you’re unable to use a net while you stumble across a salamander, always ensure that your hands are wet and clear of contaminants. Bringing a small, clean, clear container to use as a viewing area will help minimize the time they’re in contact with you.

As with all animal handling, it is safest to wash your hands or change gloves between individuals. Handling these animals can be a stressful experience for them, so always make sure to place them back where they

were found as quickly as possible if you have to pick them up.

any other fascinating native species we have in Kentucky!

Now that you’ve got the basics of salamander handling down, you’re set to embark on your own and look for these forest friends! It’s best to search during rainy weather and during early mornings. Like all amphibians, they prefer to stay in cool, damp, or wet areas. Looking under logs, rocks or leaf piles can reveal salamanders or

With our numerous healthy streams and creeks, The Parklands of Floyds Fork is a fantastic place to go observe salamanders in their preferred habitat. Any paddling access found around the parks can offer many hiding spots for salamanders to use. The Osage Orange Trail in Beckley Creek, Boone Bottoms Trail in Turkey Run, and Riparian Ramble in Broad Run are three fantastic places to begin your search for aquatic salamanders. The Paw Paw Trail in Turkey Run and Coppiced Woods Trail in Beckley Creek are two good sites to begin looking for terrestrial salamander species. Nearly all of The Parklands is considered the preferred habitat of many salamander species.

Next time you’re at The Parklands, make sure to look closely on your hike for these well camouflaged amphibians as they can be found all throughout the parks system!

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WELCOME TO POPCON WELCOME TO POPCON WELCOME TO POPCON

POPULAR EVENT COMING TO LOUISVILLE JUNE 16-18

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It was more than 10 years ago when PopCon co-owner Carl Doninger and a few close friends had the idea to create not just another convention but an experience unlike any other. This experience would immerse attendees in familiar pop culture while introducing them to new, exciting experiences, too.

Doninger had a passion for tabletop gaming. Some of his friends loved comic books. One had a passion for the show “My Little Pony.” And, a few just loved popular TV shows while another was passionate about his favorite creators on YouTube. What the group realized was every person in their life had a passion that fell under the “pop culture” category but not everyone had a place to gather and celebrate their passion.

Soon, Doninger was joined by co-owner Kris Keys.

“I thought it was a cool opportunity to plan an event that was a little different than other conventions out there,” Keys says. “It was an opportunity to spend time with my brother and some friends working toward some of their passions.”

The first PopCon was held in Indianapolis in June of 2014. Nine different pop culture genres were represented from movies, TV and comics to anime, eSports and tabletop gaming. Now, 10 years later, PopCon is a tradition for friends and family alike in Indianapolis and an annual trip for many people from around the world. Each year, more than 30,000 people attend PopCon.

“Once you fall into our universe, you are welcomed and immediately feel like you are part of something bigger,” Doninger says. “Friends are made and cultivated. Annual reunions are organized.”

The 10th year of the event seemed like the perfect time to take what they created and share it with more people choosing Louisville as the first PopCon outside of Indianapolis.

PopCon Louisville is June 16-18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. After 10 years of successfully providing PopCon attendees an unforgettable experience, both owners agreed it was time to expand.

What made Louisville the first choice? It was time Doninger says to bring “a breath of new life to a major market that has been without a pop culture event for too long.”

While the term ‘comic con’ is something you’ve most likely heard, PopCon is not just a comic convention. You will certainly find comic books and people in cosplay. That is part of the fun but you’ll also find a fully immersive world of pop culture as you walk through the door. Most importantly, Doninger says, “you’ll also find a family.”

“I love seeing the previously-oblivious parents thrilled to see their kids in their element, and then double-love when those same parents have their lightbulb moment and realize that they love PopCon too,” he adds.

As an attendee of PopCon, not only does the event promise a welcoming atmosphere but also the opportunity to try escape rooms, virtual reality, laser tag, tabletop gaming and video gaming. Attendees can meet favorite celebrities and sit in on panels where those celebrities answer questions from the audience. It is a once-in-a-lifetime moment to interact with an actor, voice actor or content creator who you enjoy and appreciate.

Celebrities that have already be announced this year include Scott Patterson, best known as Luke Danes in Gilmore Girls, Cooper Andrews from The Walking Dead and SHAZAM!, Dante Basco, best known for his role as Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys in Steven Spielberg's Hook and Zuko on Avatar: The Last Airbender as well as favorites from the video game, Red Dead Redemption, Rob Weithoff and Roger Clark. Voice actors from popular anime shows like My Hero Academia and Attack

on Titan will also be in attendance. The convention is a favorite among anime fans.

For parents who may not know anything about the anime that their children love, it is a place for them to bond, learn and share the excitement.

Doninger says it is special when that “parent that drove more than 12 hours to bring their child to meet someone at PopCon, realizes there are 100 other parents that did the same thing.”

Keys tells us more celebrities are being added almost daily right now. Another feature unique to PopCon is its “Suggest a Celebrity” feature on the website. The convention prides itself in being “by the fans, for the fans.”

If you’ve often thought a comic con might not be “your thing” the duo invites you to come to their event where they assure you, PopCon will become “your thing.” Walk through the vendor hall full of artists and

creators. Sit down and try a board game or take the young kids to the Lego display that is bigger than a basketball court.

Doninger says parents often describe PopCon as a “mini-vacation.” It’s the one place an entire family with vastly different interests can all agree to attend and all will have fun.

Taking place at the Kentucky Exposition Center, PopCon Louisville is located near plenty of great hotels and restaurants which is important to Doninger and Keys. Making the PopCon experience convenient and affordable is a priority just as much as creating the moments that PopCon attendees will cherish for a lifetime.

Also welcome to PopCon Louisville are local artists, vendors and creators. PopCon was built to have a local flavor including local artists, musicians, podcasters and creators. Keys and Doninger hope to create a similar vibe for the Louisville PopCon.

In fact, on its website PopCon recognizes the vital role creators play in making the event a success adding, “we want to help them grow their craft and share their art with fans from all over the world.”

If you are a creator, you even have the opportunity to create your own panel and submit to present your craft at PopCon. Each year, PopCon has 100s of fan panels as a part of the offerings that are free to attendees and a terrific platform for creators. Panels range from sci-fi, music, cosplay and comedy to science and mental health.

Simply put: If you’re passionate about it, you’ll find it at PopCon.

Tickets for the first annual PopCon Louisville happening June 16-18 are currently on sale on the event website with children’s admission just $10 and discount weekend passes available. Vendor space as well as content creator opportunities and sponsorships can all be found at popcon.us.

Healthy Habits for the Whole Family

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Creating and sharing healthy habits with your family is a great way to bring the family together while also passing on the wonderful gift of physical and mental health. Making a regular habit of a few simple things can be fun and extremely rewarding.

MOVE

You have probably heard a million times to take the stairs instead of the elevator or to park in a parking spot furthest from the building to get more steps in, but healthy habits can be FUN! Playing outside as a family is a great way to get moving and enjoy time with your loved ones. Taking walks together is great exercise. And, if you take that walk after dinner it will aid in digestion!

NOURISH

Come together as a family to take care of your body from the inside! Eat around the dinner table as often as possible. This is a great opportunity to connect with every member of the family. You can also pull the family into meal preparation by allowing each member to select the fresh vegetable to be served on a given night. The simple habit of only drinking water at meals not only hydrates your body but saves you from

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consuming hundreds of empty calories (and it’s cheaper, too!).

SLEEP

Sleep is an incredibly powerful tool in your effort to be healthy as it restores the body and mind. For it to be effective, one needs to get the right amount. Ranges vary based on age, but in general, school-age children should get nine to 11 hours of sleep per night while teenagers need eight to 10 hours and adults require approximately seven to

nine hours sleep each night. It also vital to maintain a schedule as closely as possible so you go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time each day.

Creating a bedtime routine for your children, whether it is a bath, reading, singing or another calming activity you enjoy together will get them settled and ready for a good night’s sleep. Crucial habits to promote quality sleep include avoiding caffeine at least six hours prior to going to bed as well as turning off electronics at least

30 minutes before bedtime. Lastly, don’t forget to take care of your mental health by reviewing or making a gratitude list before bed which will leave you feeling content before sleep.

Don’t be daunted! As with any habit, it starts with doing something just once. Support and encourage each other along the way. Healthy habits can be fun and easy –just take it one step at a time and remember that every healthy habit you create will lead to a happier, stronger and healthier family.

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